Perth Downwind Camp - The First Edition

Perth Downwind Camp

23 to 30 January 2027 · Sorrento Beach, Western Australia · 12 paddlers

A week of downwind in one of the most reliable sea breezes on earth.

Every summer afternoon, the Fremantle Doctor rolls up the Perth coast and switches on runner after runner, kilometre after kilometre. It is the most dependable downwind wind in Australia and January is the heart of the season. This is the week we open it up and show you how to ride it.

The plan is to couple theory, technique and get you on the water in real runners every day of the week, with a coach on your shoulder helping furness your craft. The sun will be shining and the water will be warm.

By Saturday you will link runners you would have missed the day before. That is the whole point of the week.

Where you stay

Quality Resort Sorrento Beach, a stone's throw from the sand. Pool, BBQs, laundry for the wet gear, undercover parking, breakfast included every morning. Every queen bed splits into two singles, so book with friends and share the accomodation.

Sorrento Beach is not a random choice. It is the finish line of The Doctor and the Fenn West Coast Downwinder, the two biggest downwind races in the country. You are sleeping at the end of one of our best local runs.

We also have the Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club rooms for our briefings, talks and video sessions. Walk off the sand, straight into the debrief.

How the days work

Every day runs on the same three steps. We call it Brief, Run, Review.

Brief. A technique session on flat water in the morning while the breeze is still light, then the run briefing: where we are going, what the wind is doing, how we will travel as a group, what you personally are working on today.

Run. The Doctor winds start at lunch time and we are ready to go. You paddle at your own pace with coaches spread through the group and a support crew off the water. Nobody gets left behind and nobody gets held up.

Review. Straight off the water, in to a debrief and planning for the next run the following day.

We'll use video analysis and tracking throughout the week: You'll see your own stroke and your own line selection, next to someone doing it well, and you'll know exactly what to change tomorrow.

Who is coaching

Reece Baker. Owner and head coach at Paddle Collective. Over twenty years coaching ocean paddling and surf lifesaving in Perth. He has run this coast in every mood it has.

Capped at Twelve paddlers to keep the group tight, fun and the coaching ratio high. Paddle Collective has a squad of amazing coaches, each with their own talents and super powers. We'll look to bring variety in coaching and experience throughout the week to maximise your learning and experience.

The runs on the menu

The Drummers Run. Perth's classic downwind, and the one most locals learn on.
The Northern Drummers. Its bigger sibling. Longer, more open, more obstacles, more committing.
The Snapper Run. Our southern epic, 22 km from Point Peron through to Fremantle. Widely called the best downwind in Perth when its cranking.
The Mandurah Cut. A day trip south with epic travellator runs.
The Wreck Run, or Ledge Point to Lancelin. A day trip north of the city, where the coast opens up and the runners get long.

Plenty more where they came from. We pick the run each morning off the forecast, the swell and the group, so no two days are the same.

Straight up about the driving: the Mandurah and Lancelin runs are an hour or more out of Sorrento each way. We handle every shuttle, the trailer and the logistics. If we get the wind for them, they are worth the escape from the city.

Itinerary
Day What happens
Sat 23 Jan Arrive, check in at Sorrento, ski setup and rudder fit, easy shakeout paddle off the beach, welcome dinner
Sun 24 Jan Orientation, safety and technique morning, first downwind in the afternoon
Mon 25 Jan Technique morning, afternoon downwind
Tue 26 Jan Australia Day. If the Doctor wind is on, we paddle, because it is often the best wind day of the month. If it is not, we take the coastal run and make a day of it. Australia Day on the Perth coast is worth seeing
Wed 27 Jan Free morning, downwind in the afternoon
Thu 28 Jan Free morning, downwind in the afternoon
Fri 29 Jan The finale run, farewell dinner
Sat 30 Jan Check out and departures

You are on the water on day one. You are on a real downwind run by the second afternoon.

What is included
7 nights at Quality Resort Sorrento Beach, breakfast every morning
Equipment hire: surf ski, paddle, leg leash and PFD
All coaching, technique sessions and video analysis
On water safety cover and live tracking on every run
Every shuttle, transfer and piece of paddling logistics
Fresh lunches and snacks every paddle day
Welcome and farewell dinners
Paddle Collective t-shirt

What is not included
Flights and travel to Perth. Airport transfers are included if you tell us your flight numbers by [date]
Dinners other than the two we host
Hi vis paddling clothing and sports nutrition
Alcohol and travel insurance

Price

Four options, depending on how you want to sleep. All prices are per person for the full seven nights and include everything listed above.

Option Room Price per person
1. 2 bedroom apartment (2 queens or 4 singles) [$3750]
2. Spa suite, single bedroom apartment (Queen or 2 singles) [$3,600]
3. Studio apartment (Queen or 2 singles) [$3,300 ]
4. Camp only, no accomodation [$1,650]
(If coming with friends, one person book the accomodation package and the rest book camp only)

Travelling with a partner who is not paddling? They can share your room for the week, which covers their bed and breakfast. They are welcome to join us at both dinners.

Bringing your own ski instead of hiring one? Let us know and will offer you a discount.

This is a founding price. It is the first Perth Downwind Camp we have run and it is priced to fill fast with fun humans!

How to pay

A [25%] deposit holds your spot. Balance due [60] days before the camp. We will invoice you, and we can split the balance into instalments if that helps. Just ask.

Is this camp for you?

It suits intermediate to advanced ocean paddlers. As a rough guide you should be able to paddle 10 km in under 70 minutes and remount confidently in open water.

Not quite there yet? Talk to us before you rule yourself out. Most people who ask that question are closer than they think, and we can put you in a double with a coach for the bigger runs. Please reach out and chat with us before ruling yourself out.

Message us, or call Reece on 0438 950 866. Happy to talk through whether it suits you.

www.paddlecollective.com.au